7 First Quarter Job Search Tips

The start of a new year is an excuse for renewed optimism, not the least for people looking for new job opportunities. But it will take work to make that a reality, and everyone could use some expert job search tips.

While recent jobs reports from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate a healthy labor market, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee the trend will continue in the future, especially as we turn the calendar to 2023.

Bank of America, in fact, projects a recession in the first half of 2023 and expects the economy to lose jobs in the first quarter. Every year, Q1 presents some unique challenges for job seekers but this coming quarter may be more difficult than usual. With a changing job market and a fluctuating economy expected in the coming months, job seekers should prepare themselves for a slog to come.

These tips will help you navigate the bumpy road ahead.

1. Consider waiting to change jobs

If you’re currently in a job that maybe you don’t love but that’s paying the bills, it’s probably worth sticking it out a few more months. A shrinking market stacks the decks for employers, making it more competitive to get in the door for preferred jobs and harder to negotiate better compensation packages when you do get an offer.

That’s not the most encouraging advice, we know, but the goal should be to move up rather than laterally. When the economy is losing jobs, it’s a lot harder to make that move.

2. Be clear on what you want

If you’re currently unemployed or you’re in an unsustainable work situation, then there’s never a bad time to proceed with your job search. But before you start sending applications, take some time to really think about what you want. You don’t want to spend time and energy only to end up at a place you’re not excited about.

Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses and think about what you really like doing. The more you know what you’re looking for, the more you’ll be able to tailor your search to the jobs you really want. 

How much do you expect to make? What’s the minimum you’ll accept? Where do you want to work? What should the company culture look like? These are all questions you should answer before searching for a new job.

3. Explore target companies

Most of us have an idea of our “dream job.” Maybe it’s a career rather than a specific job at a company. When you know what you want to do and the industries you’re most interested in, spend some time researching companies in that field. Hop on Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job boards to see what kind of companies are hiring, and make sure to read the job descriptions.

Then, research the companies that seem interesting to learn more about their company culture and the kind of questions they’re likely to ask in an interview.

4. Be adaptable and flexible

Q1 is when many companies are evaluating their budgets, analyzing their previous fiscal year, and making decisions for the year to come. As such, many companies are shy about bringing on full-time employees for certain positions.

Since companies are feeling a little in flux themselves, it helps if you’re flexible. Be willing to take on contract or temporary work to get your foot in the door at companies you really like. You could even line up multiple contracts from different companies to gain different work experience to add to your resume for later.

5. Check in with online contacts

The start of a new year is a great chance to revisit the online Rolodex. With resources like LinkedIn, it’s easy to reach out to people you’ve worked with in the past. Maybe a former coworker has moved on to a company you’re interested in learning more about. Maybe a high school friend is the hiring manager for a job that caught your eye.

When you’re job searching, you should leave no stone unturned. This is why you cultivate a network in the first place and the start of the year gives you the perfect pretense to drum up a conversation.

6. Don’t be afraid to learn new things

The job market projects to be extremely competitive in Q1 2023. As such, you need to be willing to amplify your skills to show you’re the best candidate available. That means more than just preparing diligently for every interview.

Depending on your expertise or industry, you may want to do any of the following (in addition to keeping your resume up to date, of course.):

• Update and refresh your LinkedIn and any applicable social accounts
• Create a website to showcase your portfolio
• Work towards earning specific in-demand certifications
• Sign up for online courses to improve your skills

Companies want to see that job candidates have the hard skills to do the job, but if you show a willingness to learn some things you don’t know yet, that can go a long way with employers who really like your culture fit.

7. Be patient and kind to yourself

We’re bringing this full circle. Searching for a new job can take months in the best job markets. In a contracting market, it might take longer than you expect, and you may endure a lot of rejection. Don’t take it personally.

Take time to de-stress in ways that work for you, whether that’s meditation, exercise, watching a movie, reading a book, or something else. Lean on your family and friends for support if things are tough for a little while.

Most importantly, don’t let non-responsiveness or rejections turn you vindictive or jaded. Always patiently follow up with hiring managers when you haven’t heard from them in a week or two, and write thank-you notes after interviews to all interviewers.

You don’t want to come off as being needy, but you don’t want to appear uninterested either. Being kind to yourself will help you be kinder and more respectful to those who could make your job search a lot shorter.

And another move you can make? Sign on with a top staffing agency or recruitment firm like North Bridge Staffing Group to get expert assistance in reaching that job goal!

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